Am v. close to buying a 348. Need some help

I think I am very close to buying a 348 and it is hard to keep the excitement down.

Some questions:

PPI:
I am going to get the car inspected first thru a PPI with leakdown and compression testing included. Reading thru the archives, the target leakdown seems to be 10% or less per cylinder and the compression to be 140+. Just want to confirm these numbers

Roadtrip:
If I decide to buy the car, I am ambitiously planning to drive her home to Houston - shipping will take forever and the long weekend is a good way to get acquainted with the new girl

The trip is gonna be approximate 1700 miles (woah!). I am planning to space it out over 3 days @ 600 miles/day. The temps are likely to be 50-60F in the day and 30s/40F at night - pretty cold temperatures.


What do I need to carry with me to make sure I dont get stranded.
Items on my list so far:
- maps, camera, music
- some masking tape to cover the leading edge of the hood and fenders, bumpers, mirrors to prevent road debris from marring the paint
- Jump cables in case the battery dies
- Is there anything to keep the engine insulated in the night when I park it? I doubt I will get a plug point for a battery tender or a electric blanket for the car.
- tire pressure gauge
- air compressor - does the 348 have an electrical outlet?
- any spare parts -plugs, etc?
- prayer beads

What am I missing?

As the temperature is cold, I will try to make sure the car is nicely warmed up in the AM before I start of and I will treat the throttle with respect.

I hope I am not tempting fate by doing a killer roadtrip like this ...

 

#1 priority: Correct towing eye for the car. Heaven forbid you need it, it's the only safe way to get the car onto a flatbed.

#2: Tell every single FCHATTER along the way what your route is. The kindness of Fchatters cannot be underestimated. They will help ensure you get home safely.

#3: The phone number of every FNA dealership and indie tech along your route. Holiday or not, you should be prepared.

#4.... and most important, YOUR CAMERA!! You'll be fine; and you'll have a Thanksgiving to remember!

 

Daniel, I will be throwing some business your way shortly for some Hill Engg parts.

Re: #1 Is the towing eye available at a Ferrari dealer?

#2: I am planning to buy the car in Salt Lake City, UT and drive it Houston so my route will cover Utah, Southern Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. I am enclosing a possible route map. Anyone know if I could be encountering any severe weather on-route? Will be glad to meet any FCA/Fchat member along the way if it is convenient.

#3: Will build a up a list of FNA dealers - don't know about the Indeps - I think the great man Dave Helms is my route.
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Well, you will be driving past the Ferrari of Denver dealership where I am buying my 348. It should be here tomorrow from what the shipper told me. That's one place you can get "help" if you need it.

But you should be fine..........

I promise you, this will be the MOST fun you will have ever had in your life. I did a 14 hour one way trip[ home with my last Porsche and it was probably the most fun thing I have ever done in my life!!!

;-)

 

Wow. I'd take the most southern route you can find. Why go through Wyoming? Beuatiful country, but the weather can turn VERY fast this time of year.


Towing eye: If your new car doesn't have it already, it's not too hard to obtain.

The towing eye is part number 143290. I assume you're buying the car at Steve Harris? Call the dealer where you're buying the car and tell them to V.O.R order it tomorrow from Ferrari if they don't have it in stock. For the price of buying a Ferrari from a dealership, it ought to be in the kit already or simply given to you as a "thank you" (in addition to lunch and a nice cappuccino!)

Worst case scenario, call me in the morning and I can FedEx a Hill Engineering tow hook to them, with your name as a "hold for".


-Daniel

 

First off, the temps aren't cold at all, no worries there as long as you have anti freeze. Bring an ice scraper. You can clean the windshield while the car warms up in the AM.

Second, too many interstates. I can understand not wanting to take secondary roads through Colorado this time of year, but you should take hwy 64 & 87 from Raton, NM to Dumas and Amarillo, then 287 to Dallas. That is the fastest route to Dallas (big D) from Denver (little D) and more scenic as well. Bring a cell phone and good radar detector.

Long trips are great and always memorable.

Good luck,
Dave

 

With a good PPI you're likely in better shape than 99% of the cars on the road - 348's are strong cars and have little things go wrong with them much more than the big things.

Don't just check the tow-hook but also the threads are in the front bumper! will need to take off the rubber cover to see (and test). I saw one 348 that had the hook but the threads were missing - whoops...

I did four decent sized drives (500, 600, 1k, 3k miles) last year - and the secondary roads are a lot more fun in a 348.

When I did the big trip I took water, oil, tool-kit, gps, cell-phone, laptop with cell-modem, and a few CC's. actually used one quart of oil.

we drive in those temperatures up here quite often, be aware of the salted roads - the aluminum suspension bits don't seem to like that much.

have a great trip!

 

OK, let me get this straight: you're picking up a 348 with an original 8 cylinder Ferrari engine that sounds out of this world and you need music for that ride? I can't think of a single music tune that beats the sound of a well running Ferrari engine.

Good luck with your purchase though. 348's are great cars.

 

http://www.the348.com/tech/348.html#leakdown

 

I talked to the salesman at Steve Harris and they said the stock towing hook is in the tool kit. I think he mentioned that it was a rubber one through.

I posted the suggested route computed by Yahoo. I think I will see if I can put in a more southernly route. Dave, I will take you up on your route advice. I assume the scenic road is motorable at this time right?

Have procured the radar detector today - got a cordless one - I am not sure if the 348 has a cigarette lighter. Besides I don't like all those messy wires hanging all over the cabin.

Great points ... I think I might buy a GPS - good advise.

The CD is for the interstates when I am cruising man - the radio will be off when I am on the scenic road suggested by Dave.

 

Speedy,

Congratulations, I hope all goes well with your inspection and road-trip, welcome to the Brotherhood.
I'm at my Santa Fe NM house now but may be heading back to L.A. in the next couple of days depending on the the pending work schedule PM me and I'll give you local my contact information if you need help.
A couple things to remember for your trip. First it's starting to get cold here now (17 degrees the other morning and that was at 6:30) and even colder on your route. Again, why are you going through Wyoming,can be really windy, it's beautiful but as mentioned before the weather can change in an instant in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.The weather forecast seems to be o.k. for NM the next few days but it's better to stay on top of it especially in Wyoming and Colorado...you never know? Ferrari's are not really good in the snow , I would get as far south as soon as possible.
Remember to bring a good outdoor car cover and don't forget to do your homework on the hotels you will be staying, security and safe parking
may be difficult to find in some areas.
Well, drive safe and take lots of pics of your journey to share and document your adventure.
P.S. Don't live up to your namesake until you really get a feel for your new ride...........1700 miles ought to do it though. Safe travels.

 

Thank you Sir!!!

 

Buy a cheap tire plug set at the local parts store to plug any nail holes. Don't depend on the flat fixer in the tool kit.

I'm jealous! Have a great time!

 

I saw you wanted to tape your front end to prevent paint chips well I thought u would get a kick out of this, these guys took it to the next level.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2918517

 

Towing hook should be in tool kit - this is a good time to check that the tool kit is fully equipped.

Music is a diversion. Most likely u will get tired of the high pitched engine droning after several hours. Yes, I know this is a Ferrari and melodic, but trust me after 6 hours you will want to drive a nail in your ears. You might consider an Ipod with ear buds.

Line up a massage after 1-2 days of driving. Those seats are really nice for short jaunts but the cross country trek is going to leave u stiff.

The lighter is on the console, but it takes a short stemmed plug. Some new ones do not grab the ears and stay plugged. Also, they are notoriously unreliable, the lighters. I never got mine working and it didn't matter. My radar was hard-wired.

Enjoy the ride!

 

What? You're buying a Ferrari and don't own a radar detector?

When I picked up a car bought long distance (Peoria, IL to Philadelphia, PA) a few years back (unfortunately, not a Ferrari - I'm still looking for my F355 - this one still had a horse on the emblem but the engine was in the wrong place!), I was told that the airlines may not let you fly with a radar detector as the x-ray scanners cannot penetrate the box since it is EM shielded.

I didn't get a chance to test this theory as I went ahead and shipped the radar detector (Valentine 1) to the seller. Nice thing was that the car was already prewired for the V1 so it was just plug and play. Saved me twice on the trip back home.

The car I bought had a CD changer but I hit a large bump leaving Peoria, and with the stiff suspension set-up, the changer decided to pack it in Just had the tune of an aircooled flat-six behind me, and they don't even sound half as good as a Ferrari V-8 in full song, but it was still entertaining.

 

Forcast shows nice weather up in this area with a slight chance of rain / snow on Thursday in the Vail valley.
I would suggest taking 70 from Salt Lake to Denver. We use the Wy. route when pulling loaded car trailers to take a "flatter" route as do many of the semi's.
The Salt Lake - Grand Junction - Denver drive will be stunning this time of year and make for a memorable drive if done at a reasonable pace. With the early season snow it will be quite a sight.

Dave

 

I agree. I would also bring a set of wrenches and maybe a spare O2 sensor. With the basic tools you can reset the ECU's and will not likely have any problems that would need a specialist. I wouold defintiely go through southern Utah instead of Wyoming. The scenery is easily just as good and probably less chance of snow. Have a great trip!

BT

 

I have changed my route - I am now going South: Salt Lake to Santa Fe to Dallas to Houston. Still 1500 miles in total. Have booked the hotels as well.

Got a radar detector and Garmin Nav system.

Will be getting a clear bra intalled on the car before I leave Salt Lake - hopefully would protect me against debris.

Have been trying to memorize that First gear is on the left and bottom and not the left and top like my Audi S4.

Downloaded "No Doubts" primer to my laptop which I am taking with me.

Enjoy your weekend gents and thanks for all your help. Hopefully, the next time I log on, I would be ... In Da Hood!

 

Sounds like a great adventure. Have fun!

 

Beleive it or not the 348 is a real car.

Just get in and drive it home.

If the windows don't roll up all the way, pull them up.

Judging by your route map you will have a blast. Relax, have fun, and try to get covered parking.

Watch the front end, it tends to scrape on the slightest incline.

Drive FAST when you get a chance. It's what these cars are all about.

CONGRATS on your purchase![/QUOTE]


I agree, just get in and drive it home. You will remember it forever. I bought my 348 in SanFransisco and drove to Wisconsin. Checked the basics ofcourse;ie: oil, coolant, tire pressures. Then off to the mountains I was, then accross the salt flat I-80. Yes, drive FAST when you get the chance. Most importantly NEVER TURN ON THE STEREO !! The music is behind you....